Haryana: In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth Rs. 1.11 Crore linked to Naresh Kumar Sheokand, the erstwhile District Revenue Officer (DRO) of Panchkula, Haryana, and others.
This move comes under the provisions of the Prevention of Money-laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, pertaining to an embezzlement case involving National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) funds.
The ED initiated its investigation based on an FIR filed by the State Vigilance Bureau of Haryana and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New Delhi. The allegations involve Naresh Kumar Sheokand, in collusion with private individuals, fraudulently transferring NHAI and HSIIDC funds designated for land acquisition to ineligible recipients. This malpractice resulted in a wrongful loss to the exchequer amounting to Rs. 37.89 Crore.
Further scrutiny by the ED uncovered that these illicit funds, considered as proceeds of crime, were diverted to different bank accounts, withdrawn in cash, and utilized for business investments and property acquisitions. Consequently, movable and immovable assets totaling Rs. 1.11 Crore, belonging to Naresh Kumar Sheokand and others involved, have been provisionally attached under the PMLA, 2002.
This recent action adds to the ED’s previous attachments, bringing the total value of assets seized in this case to Rs. 27.54 Crore. The ED’s ongoing investigation aims to unravel the intricate financial transactions and bring those responsible for the embezzlement to justice.
